If you don't know by now, the USTA had suspended all of their own sanctioned products and events as of March 23rd due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To extend the pain, most of us took a dreaded look at our phone to see the latest statement on the "Safety of Playing Tennis." USTA released the following statement :
"Based on the recommendations of the USTA COVID-19 Advisory Group, the USTA believes that it is in the best interest of society to take a collective pause from playing the sport we love. Although there are no specific studies on tennis and COVID-19, medical advisors believe there is the possibility that the virus responsible for COVID-19 could be transmitted through common sharing and handling of tennis balls, gate handles, benches, net posts, and even court surfaces. As a result of this, the USTA asks that as tennis players we need to be patient in our return to the courts and consider how our decisions will not only affect ourselves, but how our decisions can impact our broader communities. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay active and healthy with at home exercise and creative “tennis at home” variations. We look forward to our return to tennis in a safe manner and will provide updates as new information becomes available. By practicing all the recommended guidelines presently put forth by our medical experts, that return will happen in the soonest possible timeframe." We must ask ourselves, what now, USTA? In light of the aforementioned statement, many community tennis courts and local high schools are locking their gates thus banning any activity. A lot of questions have been surfacing about the length of this supposed "timeframe" without answers. As a teaching professional, I wonder if there with be any spring or summer seasons to allow me to make any income. In the meantime all players and coaches alike must stick together and be there for each other. Unfortunately, it's apparent that this is not going away anytime soon. If you seek assistance in this difficult time feel free to contact your local tennis community pages or court officials. PTR and USTA are applying many drastic measures for small businesses in the tennis community to provide some comfort at this time. Allow them to help! If you seek information please feel free to contact me and I will try my best to work with the PTR community to find answers. While we wait we must remain active! Stay safe and healthy everybody! Contact: [email protected]
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No open courts near your house during the global pandemic? Stuck inside because going out to hit is considered non-essential during this virus? Trust me, I know how ESSENTIAL tennis can be for your heath (both mental and physical)... especially at times like these! Follow some of these quick training guidelines to get you off the couch and away from the TV for a little bit! I promise that watching the news 24/7 is not helping at a time like this.
Above all else, practice hitting! There are plenty of options for you to just get a racquet and a ball in your hand. If you already have, or are in the market for, a red ball mini-tennis net, you have all you need to build a great base or maintain your skills while your stuck on your property. Set it up in the garage, in the driveway, on the sidewalk, or in the grass in your yard! You can't go wrong! Grab a partner and play some mini-tennis with a red foam ball; you'd be amazed at how much this can improve your game. Some of us don't have the means or the desire to go to the nearest Walmart or Dick's Sporting Goods and that doesn't mean you still can't improve your game. Take a walk outside and find a brick or concrete wall and start hitting against it (with the owner's permission of course). If you don't think it will work, just take a look at Roger Federer's training (guess what, he does it too)! Just looking for something quick to do inside and you don't feel like taking your pajamas off? Step in front of the mirror and look at your technique! Need something a little more active? Find any line and do some 30-60 second sets of line jumps! When all else fails, become a student of the game! I know you might have missed watching Indian Wells or you're sad that Wimbledon is getting canceled this year, but hop over to YouTube and watch some great matches! Just take note of player's movement. Try not to watch the ball every point and pick a pro to just watch and see their footwork, recovery, and technique; it might just be game-changing. If you're looking for a good match, I would recommend the 2008 Wimbledon Final! If anything, it will give you your fix for grass court matches in light of the news of Wimbledon today. The next time you think there's nothing to do in your house, just take a few minutes and remember that there's always time to improve your game. Whether you are talking a leisurely walk just to get out of your house for a few minutes or engaging in a high-intensity at home workout, cross training is essential for development in tennis. All ages and abilities will benefit from implementing cross training regiments into their tennis repertoires. With gyms across the United States providing free workout programs, finding the right form of training may be overwhelming or intimidating. Don't fret, there are many easy alternatives that can be completed in less than 30 minutes that will have a big impact on your tennis game. The most underrated form of cross training lies in flexibility and yoga. There are many Yogi's across YouTube that can guide you through beginner to advanced sessions with ease. Before you manly men turn away from this article claiming that, "yoga is not masculine," give it a try... you may never turn back! Obviously, you will not get the extreme flexibility of the top players, such as Djokovic and Nadal, in one session. However, one yoga session 3-5 times a week can prove game-changing to your tennis ability. I get it, yoga might not be your thing! If you're looking for something more exciting than watching somebody on Youtube and that will get you sweating quick, try plyometrics or jumping rope (if you have one laying around). Not only do these exercises provide great modes to increase endurance, but they increase your muscular capacity, footwork, and coordination. When all else fails and you just need to get out of the house, go for a run or dig that old bike out of your shed or garage! Sometimes nothing beats the feel of cool air rushing by you as you fly down a hill on your 6-speed bike or on foot when you just hit that runner's high! It's not a secret that tennis is a game of endurance and explosive movements, but it is often overlooked. While your stuck in your house for the next few weeks, give some of these exercise modes a try. You might just like it! If you're still one of the lucky ones that can find a court during this time, feel free to hit if you feel safe! Please leave a comment below for exercises that you're doing during this difficult time. Always stay safe and healthy!
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